Pandawa Beach

A Unique Beach Area in Southern Badung

Pandawa Beach is the most unique tourist beach area on the Island of the Gods. Nestled at Kutuh village, South Kuta subdistrict, or about 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport, it does not only present various marine tourist attractions, but also serves as the center for the seaweed cultivation. Once traveling, we can see natural scenery and some cultural activities having been carried out for generations since the past time.

Various tourist attractions are offered by the white sandy beach known as the secret beach because it is hidden behind the hills. Local community supported by the government then took an initiative to open the access to Pandawa Beach by splitting the hills. On the sides of the cliff lie some caves where they are filled up with the figures of Pandawa in the Mahabharata epic. This is the origin of the beach in Southern Bali named the Pandawa Beach.From the top of the hill, tourists can see the beautiful cobalt blue sea water. When coming into the coastal area, visitors will be greeted by a clean white sand and calm quiet atmosphere. A number of small huts belonging to local people are transformed into stall used to serve visitors. Besides, it is also provided with dozens of benches and umbrellas for visitors wishing to lie down while enjoying the beach atmosphere.

A number of foreign visitors take advantage of the high waves on the beach for surfing, snorkeling, diving and others. There other activities available are such as canoeing and flying by windsurfing. Visitors can tray the massage and spa service managed by housewives of local village coalesced into the Family Empowerment and Prosperity (PKK). Then, visitors can also observe directly the activities of seaweed farmers at the Fisherman Village.To come in, local visitor is charged an entrance fee of IDR 2,000, while foreign visitor is charged IDR 5,000 per person. After passing the entrance booth, visitor will pass the meandering path with high cliff wall on the right and left side. The sand is very soft because it is located in the east and you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise.

Wayan Letra, an attendant on the beach area, said the beach was very rich in seaweed. In addition, many large and small fish of various colors could also be found there. Formerly, local communities utilized the beach for seaweed cultivation. “Starting in the year 2000, it was arranged as commodity area. During holiday seasons, numerous tourists visit this beach,” he said.Tourist arrivals to the coastal region have become an extra source of income for local fishermen. In addition to farming, they also provide services for guests by preparing light refreshment such as coconut, roasted corn, massage and others. “Visitors can also see the process of preparing food from seaweed and then enjoy it,” he said.

Meanwhile, the local village secretary, I Nyoman Camang, said that in the future arrangement his party would improve the synergies between farmers and tourism. “In the future, we will create a package such as marine agrotourism. It will synergize the activities of seaweed farmers and the coral reef ecotourism,” he hoped.

To maintain the security and comfort, this beach had also been kept by lifeguard team whose salary was subsidized by village administration. They were totally 10 personnel divided into two shifts, namely the morning and afternoon shift. “We have developed the seaweed into 30 kinds of food item such as syrup, toffee, crackers, noodle, meatballs, cookies and cakes. Besides, it is also taken advantage for cosmetic ingredient exported to some countries such as Korea, China, Japan, and Taiwan,” he explained. (BTN/015)